Professional product reviewer

YouTube is making it harder to monetize

A month or so ago YouTube announced changes to it’s policy on creator accounts that can be monetized. This is a 180 switch from YouTube’s previous policy, which only required channels to have 10,000 lifetime views. This change makes it harder for the smaller channels to meet the criteria to monetize, and even a bigger uphill battle for those just getting started.

The minimum bar is that you now need 1,000 or more subscribers PLUS you need your video content to be watched at least 4,000 hours in the past 12 months. Some new creators will find that it takes a long time to attain that level unless you are able to get some viral content going. If not, it’s going to be a slow process in getting there.

This change was not unexpected one, as YouTube continues to face criticism from advertisers that it has not done enough to vet content. But YouTube just cant win because now it’s facing criticism from creators who now do not meet the new criteria.